Top 10 Coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain

For Your Amusement: A Theme Park Podcast

Ryan Bergara and Byron Marin rank the top 10 roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain, sharing their personal rankings based on a point s

Key takeaways

• Six Flags Magic Mountain remains one of the top roller coaster parks in the U.S., despite Cedar Point now having more operating coasters.

Main topics

• Top 10 roller coaster rankings at Six Flags Magic Mountain
• Comparison of wooden vs. steel coasters

Notable quotes

Apocalypse didn't make your top 10?

I remember feeling very underwhelmed by the length of it.

Conclusion

The hosts conclude their ranking with reflections on personal bias, ri

Transcript preview

Speaker 2 (0:03) Welcome to For Your Amusement, a theme park podcast that aims to exhaustively evaluate the world's most popular theme park attractions to determine if they are world-class. I'm Ryan Bergara. I'm Baran Marin. And for today's episode, we're ranking the top 10 roller coasters at the best coaster park in California, and among the best in the United States, Six Flags. Magic Mountain. You'd agree with that, right? I think that's fair for California. Fair for California. And among the best in the U.S., I would say. Although I feel like it's gotten closer Speaker 3 (0:33) recently just because Six Flags Magic Mountain maxed out at 20 coasters a few years back, but now they're down to just 17 that are in operation. I see. So technically, Cedar Point now has more operating coasters than Magic Mountain. Well, I would say Speaker 2 (0:49) - Speaker 3 (0:49) And Magic Mountain is no longer the number one coaster park in the world. That's in the most- amount of operating coasters. I would say Magic Speaker 2 (0:57) Mountain's still probably top five, though, in the Speaker 1 (0:59) U.S. at least. Speaker 3 (1:00) Oh, for coaster lineups overall? I think that's fair to say. Speaker 2 (1:04) Which we never really realized living here, but now we have, which is why we're making a top ten roller coasters list from Six Flags Magic Mountain. Now, our top ten list is a consensus between the two of us formed by a point system. Byron and I each made our own top tens, and a ranking of first is worth ten points, a ranking of second is worth nine, and then so on and so on, and then I... Speaker 2 (1:35) This also means this list is vulnerable to what we call here as a muscle job. A muscle job is when you purposely rank something higher than it should. Also, we'll be ranking our... Least favorite coaster at Six Flags as well. And as always, please like and subscribe to keep us alive if you're watching the video version over at youtube.com slash at FYAPod. Or if you're listening to the audio version, subscribe and rate the podcast five stars. Leave us a review on Apple. Does help quite a bit. And speaking of helping us, if you'd like to, if you're feeling kind enough, you can go over to FYAPod.com, which is our fourth wall, a different version of Patreon. We have bonus shows over there. early releases on blogs, as well as ad-free main episodes. And our merch is also over at fyapod.com. And Speaker 3 (2:18) a big shout out to all those e-ticketers that we got to meet before the live show. That Speaker 2 (2:24) was one thing that we put on the website in the tier system is that if we were to ever have a live show, when we wrote that, we kind of giggled to ourselves being like, we're never going to have a live show. But I mean, it'd be cool if we did that we could do something for the e-ticketers, which is the highest tier of our fourth wall. And we put meet and greet before the live show. And 73 of you folks showed up to the meet and greet. So that was pretty fun. And shout out to everybody who we just are coming off the heels of finishing our first FYA live recording over at the House of Blues Anaheim. I believe there was almost 600 people there. Something like that, yeah. Speaker 3 (2:58) It Speaker 2 (2:58) was crazy. I could have never imagined that sort of turnout. So thank you to everybody who came. Yeah, it was a good time. You'll be seeing that episode hopefully soon because it is going to be airing on YouTube. We did record it, and I'm excited for you guys to see that. But back to the matter at hand. Top 10 roller coasters at Six Flags Magic Mountain. How was making this list for you? Actually pretty easy. I'm not going to lie. Yeah, I felt pretty locked in. I think it's because I've Speaker 3 (3:24) already kind of had a general ranking, at least like my top five or so. So it was just really about deciding the other five. Speaker 2 (3:33) Yeah, I think everybody has kind of like a top 10 list as they go into, especially a coaster park where the lines are more obvious because there's not as much queue theming. So it's just basically like, you know, you're going to be standing in like an hour line, maybe two hour lines for some of these coasters. So you're already making a list, like a to-do list of like, okay, here's the ones I'd like to hit. And you usually will have a preference order of like the one from the, I can't miss it at the top to. If I don't get on this today, I'm not going to be like, I wasted my money. I've already kind of done this thought exercise as well. So I found this rather easy. But that being said, why don't we go ahead and jump straight into the top 10? Cool. And I can't Speaker 3 (4:12) imagine there's any crazy muscle jobs here. I Speaker 2 (4:14) wouldn't say so. Well, we're going to start with 10B because there was a tie for two points. We'll start with yours. So this was not listed for me, but it was listed for you, Byron. Oh, I know what this is going to be. And number nine. And you had Apocalypse. Oh, okay. Okay, I thought it was going to be a different one. Speaker 3 (4:34) Apocalypse didn't make your top 10? Speaker 2 (4:36) Nah. I'm curious what Speaker 3 (4:37) did. Speaker 2 (4:37) I think it's a very subpar wooden roller coaster. Speaker 3 (4:40) I mean, if you compare it to Ghost Rider, which is like, we have a small sample size. But considering I've been on a decent amount of other wooden coasters, like around the average coasters, it's pretty solid. It's not... gold striker at, you know, up, up North at, uh, California's great America soon to be defunct with the whole park. It's obviously, it's not ghost rider or the beast is like one of the best wooden coasters potentially in the world. We're about Speaker 2 (5:08) to get on the beast pretty soon here. Speaker 3 (5:10) Um, by the way, which was so validating to, uh, I, I went to, uh, Knott's Berry Farm late, uh, Friday night. This is the night before the live show. Yeah. And, uh, got to meet some fya holes there and we all did a night ride on uh Speaker 2 (5:24) ghost rider and Speaker 3 (5:26) it was cool to see people from out of the state that had been on like stuff like el toro or the voyage get that night ride and be like it's right there with them it's like it's one of the best ones that's good very validating yeah uh Speaker 2 (5:39) i mean for a while though apocalypse it wasn't even the best wooden roller coaster in its own park for a while there really Speaker 3 (5:47) you think colossus was better than i like Speaker 2 (5:49) colossus because Costas is much more of a meal. Well, Speaker 3 (5:51) you can't confuse this with Cyclone because they used to have like a really janky wooden coaster that I was too young to ever get on, I think. That was called Cyclone and then they replaced it with Terminator Salvation the Ride, which is the same track layout. It's this. It's this. They just had a... pull the theming out or pull the ip out i Speaker 2 (6:08) think that is maybe getting to the bottom of why i don't really like this coaster it's i remember when it reopened as terminator salvation movie sucks by the way but also the coaster sucks appropriately it does not suck it Speaker 3 (6:20) sucks it's not a bad coaster it's Speaker 2 (6:21) so short it's so short i remember they had like made such a big deal about terminator salvation the ride coming out and like the theming was okay barely there And then I just remember feeling very underwhelmed by the length of it. Speaker 3 (6:35) This seems like you went in with a lot of hype because the marketing got to you. Because I never went on Terminator when it was Terminator Salvation the ride. Speaker 2 (6:43) So Speaker 3 (6:43) I think you're still sore over that. Same way like, oh, this is a really good example because we might go on this really soon because we're about to go on a coaster trip. Oh, God, what's it freaking called? I think it's the wooden coaster at King's Island. island their whole like they when it before it opened it had this don't go in the shed campaign yeah Speaker 2 (7:02) so Speaker 3 (7:03) when everyone figured out what that meant think it was gonna be some crazy thing going on at like an amusement park wooden roller coaster only to feel extremely underwhelmed. Speaker 2 (7:12) Yeah. The Speaker 3 (7:13) ride kind of had a sour reputation at first, but then now over the years people realize, oh wait, it's actually a really good roller coaster. We were just all expecting some crazy shit to happen in the shed. Speaker 2 (7:21) Yeah. Speaker 3 (7:22) Because that was their marketing ploy. What was that fucking ride called? It starts with an M. I am, uh... Speaker 3 (7:30) It's a GCI as well, I think, which is Apocalypse, and they did the retract work for Ghost Rider. Oh, my God. How am I missing this right now? Speaker 2 (7:40) I ain't going to be able to help you, which Speaker 3 (7:41) is Speaker 2 (7:41) actually a good time to remind all the folks out here of the two of us. Mystic Speaker 3 (7:45) Timbers. There you go. It Speaker 2 (7:47) was right off the tip of my tongue. Byron is the resident coaster head on this podcast. I like going on roller coasters, and it ends there. So in terms of like expertise, you're probably going to want to trust him more than me. I'm going strictly off my vibes and what I personally enjoy. And I don't enjoy getting on a wooden roller coaster that feels like I just got on it and now I'm getting off of Speaker 3 (8:07) it. As far as wooden coasters goes, it is smooth. Speaker 2 (8:10) It's smooth for the 45 seconds it lasts. That's not what she said. Once Speaker 3 (8:14) again, this is not the signature coaster. It's got a cool flyby in the station. Pretty neat. It's... It kind of got more of a twister layout, but yes, no, it does not bang as hard as, say, Gold Striker, which has kind of a similar style of attack. I Speaker 2 (8:29) would argue it doesn't bang at all. There's no bang. Well, you know what does bang are these chef-prepared gourmet meals by Speaker 3 (8:35) Factor. That's right. Things have been a little crazy for us over here at FYA between D23, the live show, going on this epic coaster trip. It's gotten harder and harder to sneak in some really well-balanced meals, which is where Factor comes in the clutch. Because Factor meals are ready in two minutes and require no prep and no cleanup. So even on the days that your schedule is completely out of control, which has been ours for the most part over the past month, eating well is still achievable. Every week, you'll find over 100 nutrient-dense menu items. to choose from and new options like salmon burgers, shredded pork, colored greens, and more. Plus add-ons you'll crave like pumpkin-flavored cheesecakes and protein shakes. And yeah, those pumpkin-flavored cheesecakes coming in just in time to get you ready for some spooky... fall season. 97 % of users agree that Factor Meals help them live a healthier life so you can feel confident that you're doing something good for yourself with every meal. So let's eat real. Head to factormeals.com slash FYA50OFF and use code FYA50OFF to get 50 % off and one free breakfast item per box for one year while supplies last until October 31st, That's code FYA50OFF at Factormeals.com. FYA50OFF at Factormeals.com. See website for more details. By Speaker 2 (9:56) the way, also going to accreditations, what is your coaster credit count at now? Speaker 3 (10:01) Oh, it's not many, but it's going to be well over 200 by the time we finish this coaster trip. Speaker 2 (10:04) I don't think I've even crossed 100. Well, Speaker 3 (10:07) you will during this coaster trip. Speaker 2 (10:08) I have to sit down and actually write down the amount of coasters I've been on. Because I think we're going to get Speaker 3 (10:11) like 30 to 40 new coasters, ideally. That Speaker 2 (10:14) should push me over the edge. Yeah. Speaker 3 (10:15) Oh, I'd imagine, because I feel like most of the coasters you've been on with me, or at least like half of them. Speaker 2 (10:19) Oh, because I haven't gone on many of the, I haven't gone to many regional coaster parks. Speaker 3 (10:23) Okay, yeah. Well, yeah, the East Coast ones. Yeah, Speaker 2 (10:25) exactly. Or like, you know, the Six Flags portfolio, like over Georgia, or Great America. I haven't been there. I've been to the Six Flags in New Jersey either. So, like, it's been Speaker 3 (10:34) - Speaker 2 (10:34) That's right. Speaker 3 (10:34) You are going to get 30 to 40 new credits, potentially. this week, I'm going to get about maybe 20 to 30 because I've already done Speaker 2 (10:42) Carowinds and Dollywood. Yeah, Speaker 3 (10:43) you just haven't done Kings and Cedar Point. Yeah, which are big ones. I'm so excited. They have big lineups. Speaker 2 (10:49) Anyways, that comes in a 10B, which is tied with 10A, which was my number nine and not on your list. And this is actually a newer coaster for me. I had just recently got on this for the first time. It's West Coast Racers. West Speaker 3 (11:01) Coast Racers didn't make my list? It did not. No way. Did I accidentally? Holy shit. It's rough. I think I had it on the list. Like, oh, let me put a pin on that. And then thought it was still on the list. And it never made it. That is so depressing. West Coast Racers is definitely way better than a nine. Speaker 2 (11:19) Yeah. I was pretty surprised. I was surprised by the. Sorry, Speaker 3 (11:24) everyone. That's that's quite a snub. Speaker 2 (11:27) One of these list episodes. You have one where you're like, oh, fuck. Speaker 3 (11:30) Yeah. Because I knew I. Because I was going to have that one relatively high on the list. I Speaker 2 (11:36) mean, I think it's Speaker 3 (11:37) a Speaker 2 (11:37) pretty fun ride. It's also short, but I mean, the racing aspect, anytime any park has a racer, I am there. You think that one's Speaker 3 (11:43) short? Speaker 2 (11:44) I mean, it's not the longest ride of all time. What is it, like a minute of ride time, probably? Speaker 3 (11:48) Yeah, but you do it twice. Speaker 2 (11:50) That is true. And it's also racing. I just love the racing aspect. I think like anytime a coaster has a racing aspect. And by what I mean by that is you are going, launching or. riding, you know, parallel to another ride vehicle, racing, so to speak. But really more than anything, it just gives you context for some of the elements that you are going through. It's cool to see a train from the outside doing the exact same element that you are while you're in it. So that means like I could get like I could see it's going over like an airtime hill and I'm experiencing the airtime. It's like watching a POV while being on the ride. It's very fun to me. So any kind of racing element is very novel. Yes. And this kind of works its way around the land. It does. It's Speaker 3 (12:29) a Speaker 2 (12:29) very small part of Six Flags Magic Mountain, but it's right by Apocalypse. Speaker 3 (12:33) But it runs, yeah, up and around, yeah. It's got the dual. It's almost like they designed it with the intent of, okay, we need a coaster in this park that actually can guarantee a dual, unlike another coaster that we're going to talk about later. That's true. This was manufactured by Premier Rides, so you do have to deal with the bucket seats, which is... I think more of an acquired. I, I think I just, I just like the bucket seats more than other people. I think dislike the bucket seats. I don't think they're ever fun to get in and out of. It's, it's a weird nitpick, um, relatively smooth ride. Like the launch, like the high five element going out of the launch. Got some inversions, some good bank turns, helixes overall. Yeah. A good, it's, it's, it's. Pimp My Ride, the ride. It Speaker 2 (13:14) is Pimp My Ride. If you're a fan of Pimp My Ride, the show, it's basically themed after West Coast Customs. This honestly Speaker 3 (13:21) could be a good standalone episode. Speaker 2 (13:23) Yeah, which, yeah, I'd be down to cover it because it's a funny cue. You go through the West Coast Customs kind of warehouse. It's themed after the show Pimp My Ride starring X to the Z, a.k.a. the artist formerly known as Exhibit. I think he's actually still known as that. It's just he hasn't done a lot in a while. Speaker 3 (13:38) No unnecessary TV monitors and speakers in the back of these trains, though. No, no. So that's not faithful to the show. That is Speaker 2 (13:44) something that they were like, okay, that's true. Every car they run into pimp my ride. It was like, okay, step one, let's get TVs in the backs of all these headrests because everybody needs those. Everyone's tailgating every day. Like we're like, I'm going to be driving lift and I need my passengers in the back to be everyone lives in a fast sports movie. Yeah, that's crazy. But that's 10 a let's move on. Number nine. This was also not on my list, but it was number. Let's see. What is this? 10, 9, 8. This is number 8 for you. So this would be a score of 3 for Viper. Fuck yeah. Funny enough, I actually prefer Viper over West Coast Racers. Speaker 3 (14:23) Objectively, I have it a bit higher on this. A lot of people give it a lot of shit because it's rough. 8. It is rough. It's Speaker 2 (14:29) at Speaker 3 (14:29) 8. It's got a killer layout, though. It's almost like a 200-foot drop. I think that the time that it opened, it was like the tallest inversion in the world. I think that's true. I don't believe it has anymore. Manufactured by the now Speaker 2 (14:42) defunct Arrow. Yes. We'll get into why. Yeah, you feel it. You definitely feel, this feels like a dead man's coaster. It's Speaker 3 (14:49) an Speaker 2 (14:49) Arrow banger. Speaker 3 (14:50) I Speaker 2 (14:51) don't think it's a banger. It's a literal banger. I had a banger. Oh, okay. I see what you mean. I thought I was about to say. I mean, it's a Speaker 3 (14:56) banger for me in multiple ways, but. Yeah, this is Speaker 2 (14:59) a ride where if you have, if Joe Rohde got on this ride, his ear will be torn in half. because of his earring. I've literally gotten off this ride and had my ears be a little red. Just because your head is just getting absolutely destroyed by the over-the-shoulder restraints. One of the most rough roller coasters I've ever been on. Honestly, I know probably the gold medalist for headbanging would probably go to what a lot of people feel is Togo's ride over in New York, New York. The Big Apple Coaster. But... I personally think this ride is way worse. Speaker 3 (15:34) New York or Big Apple Coaster's got some weird track profiling issues, but I wouldn't say it's like an awfully rough ride. Speaker 2 (15:42) People do complain it's rough, though. Speaker 3 (15:44) It is rough. But Speaker 2 (15:44) this is a rough ride. Viper is 10 times more rough. Speaker 3 (15:47) Yes, it's one of the... I feel like the amount of aero looping coasters are dwindling, and I like that there's still a few of them out there. This is a fucking big one. It's like seven inversions, 180 feet tall or something